Ciara Doogan will be the first rider down the start ramp at the UCI world cycling championships in Richmond, USA, when she lines up for the 15km junior women's individual time trial this afternoon.

Donegal teenager Doogan is the sole Irish representative in the junior women's event, but both Eddie Dunbar and Ryan Mullen will also be in action this evening in the men's U23 time trial.

It is this 30km race against the clock that possibly provides the best chance of a medal for the Irish.

Mullen has won both the senior and U23 national titles, and has finished eighth in the European Games and fourth in the U23 European championships.

Due to turn professional for the Cannondale Garmin team in January, 20-year-old Mullen opted to give up a place in Friday's U23 road race to concentrate on gold in today's time trial.

Dunbar will also ride the 163km U23 road race on Friday, while Doogan will ride the 65km junior women's race.

Michael O'Loughlin and Simon Tuomey are next up for the 13-strong Irish team , taking part in the junior men's time trial tomorrow afternoon, before Siobhan Horgan rides the women's time trial tomorrow evening.

O'Loughlin and Tuomey will be joined by Darragh O'Mahony, Jake Gray and Adam Stenson for the junior road race on Saturday, while Olivia Dillon and Fiona Meade take on the women's event.

With Nicolas Roche, Dan Martin, Philip Deignan and Matt Brammeier all out of action, Sam Bennett and Conor Dunne will be Ireland's only two representatives in the elite road race on Sunday.